Latest news with #Marciniak
Daily Mirror
07-05-2025
- Sport
- Daily Mirror
Referee snaps back at Barcelona with four-word message over 'UEFA complaint'
Polish referee Szymon Marciniak has been heavily criticised by Barcelona in the aftermath of their 4-3 Champions League semi-final defeat to Inter Milan at San Siro Polish referee Szymon Marciniak has hit back at accusations he robbed Barcelona of a place in the Champions League final against Inter Milan. The World Cup final official has been lambasted in the Catalan press today following his controversial display with newspaper Mundo Deportivo even claiming Marciniak "has a friendly history with Real Madrid." Barca are adamant Inter's late equaliser, scored by Francesco Acerbi, to force extra-time should not have stood after full-back Gerard Martin went to ground following a challenge from Denzel Dumfries. The Spanish giants also claim VAR should not have awarded a penalty for Pau Cubarsi's tackle on Lautaro Martinez after Hakan Calhanoglu fired home from the spot. Barca are also said to be preparing an official complaint to UEFA but Marciniak isn't fazed in the slightest, firing back: "I'm ready for anything." Marciniak also added on Inter's third goal: "Inter's third goal was definitely valid." Barcelona boss Hansi Flick said after the devastating defeat at San Siro: "I don't want to talk too much about the referee, but every decision was in Inter's favour. I'm disappointed. I don't like talking about the referee. I told him what I thought, but I won't repeat what I said here." Former Arsenal boss Arsene Wenger was covering the game as an analyst for beIN SPORTS and he was disappointed by the decision to award Martinez a spot-kick. He feels VAR is ruining the game, stating: "It was clear that Lautaro Martinez was looking for a penalty, and in my opinion, the referee made a mistake in the decision. He should see who touches the ball first, who reaches it first. It's Cubarsi. "For me, it's clear that it's not a penalty, and you can't blow a whistle for a play like that, especially since it looked like a clean tackle. My position is clear: I'm against these decisions that distort football." Barcelona midfielder Pedri has since claimed UEFA should "look into" Marciniak's performance. He said: "It's not the first time this happens to us with this referee, UEFA should look into it," Pedri told reporters after the game. Every 50-50 for them. There are things that I don't understand and which are hard to explain." Pedri also criticised Marciniak for failing to book Henrikh Mkhitaryan for his strong tackle on Lamine Yamal. He added: "In the penalty on Lamine, which was after given as a free kick, there's no booking for Mkhitaryan, which would have been his second booking."
Yahoo
07-05-2025
- Sport
- Yahoo
Barcelona fury as referee accused of being ‘Madridista' after chaotic Inter defeat
Referee Szymon Marciniak gave a series of decisions in favour of Inter Milan that angered their Spanish opponents - Shutterstock/Daniel Dal Zennaro Barcelona players and Catalan media outlets have called for Uefa to investigate Szymon Marciniak, labelling the Polish referee a 'Madridista' who was once pictured next to a wash bag with Real Madrid branding. Marciniak left Barça furious with his decisions during the epic Champions League semi-final defeat at Inter Milan in which they lost 7-6 on aggregate thanks to Davide Frattesi's extra-time winner at San Siro. Advertisement Hansi Flick's players were incensed at Marciniak turning down a penalty appeal when Inter defender Francesco Acerbi appeared to handle in the area. Francesco Acerbi kicked the ball on to his own hand while trying to clear and VAR agreed with the referee that when the ball is deflected on to the hand by another 'valid' part of the body, in a natural movement, it is not to be considered a punishable handling offence. - Getty Images/Stefano Guidi They were also aggrieved at the Polish referee awarding Inter a penalty after a pitch-side review for Pau Cubarsí's tackle on Lautaro Martínez . Marciniak subsequently overturned a penalty appeal when Henrikh Mkhitaryan tripped Lamine Yamal and the foul continued in the area. Barcelona felt there was a foul by Denzel Dumfries on Gerard Martín in the build-up to Federico Acerbi's 93rd-minute equaliser. Barça midfielder Pedri led the calls for a probe into Marciniak, claiming: 'It's not the first time that this has happened to us with this referee, Uefa should look at it. There are things that I don't understand and they are complicated to explain. Advertisement 'All 50-50s are for them. In the penalty to Lamine [Yamal], which was then a foul, he did not give Mkhitaryan a yellow card, which would have been the second.' Marciniak also received a complaint from Inter after it appeared Iñigo Martínez spat in the direction of Acerbi after the penalty that gave Inter a 2-0 lead. The 44-year-old official did not take further action but the incident could be looked at by Uefa. Martínez, meanwhile, took aim at the referees for his decisions against Barça. 'Everyone has seen today that the decisions fell on the same side, but I don't want this to be talked about,' said Martínez. 'In the end he [the referee] had to make decisions and he made them that way. It's a shame.' Catalan media outlets questioned Marciniak's appointment as referee for the second leg of the semi-final ahead of the San Siro classic, with Sport suggesting he had a 'favourable history' with rivals Madrid. Advertisement The newspaper also posted footage of Marciniak's dressing room for the Champions League semi-final two years ago when a wash bag with Real Madrid's bag was clearly seen in the changing area next to where he was speaking. The daily highlighted Marciniak disallowing Julián Alvarez's 'double-touch' penalty for Atletico Madrid against Real earlier in the competition. He also ruled out a Bayern Munich goal against Real last season and chalked off a Chelsea strike in 2022 against the Spanish giants. Spanish newspaper El Mundo Deportivo said: 'Flick's team overcame Inter's initial 2-0 and the scandalous refereeing of the 'Madridista', who deprived Barça of a penalty for hands and whistled a very rigorous one against.' Advertisement Barcelona manager Flick added: 'Every decision that was 50-50 went [Inter's] way. I am disappointed, but not with my team. 'I don't like talking about the referee... I've told him what I think, but I'm not going to say it here what I've said...' Broaden your horizons with award-winning British journalism. Try The Telegraph free for 1 month with unlimited access to our award-winning website, exclusive app, money-saving offers and more.
Daily Tribune
07-05-2025
- Sport
- Daily Tribune
Barca Coach Flick Fumes Over Refereeing Decisions in Defeat at Inter
TDT | Manama Barcelona boss Hansi Flick didn't hold back after his team's 4-3 loss to Inter Milan at the San Siro on Tuesday night, a result that knocked the Catalans out of the Champions League semi-finals with a 7-6 aggregate defeat. An extra-time goal from Inter substitute Davide Frattesi sealed Barca's fate, but Flick was left frustrated by a string of refereeing calls that he felt swung the game. Barca had fought back from 2-0 down to take a 3-2 lead with Raphinha's 87th-minute strike, only for Francesco Acerbi to equalize in stoppage time and force extra time. Frattesi's winner in the 99th minute sent Inter through to face either Paris St Germain or Arsenal in the final, but the night was overshadowed by controversy for the visitors. Polish referee Szymon Marciniak had a busy evening, and Flick wasn't happy with how things played out. Marciniak awarded Inter a penalty after a VAR review for a challenge by Pau Cubarsi on Lautaro Martinez—a call Flick didn't think was a foul. Later, a penalty decision for Barca was overturned after VAR showed Henrikh Mkhitaryan's foul on Lamine Yamal was just outside the box. Barca's players and bench were also up in arms over a possible handball by Acerbi in the box and a perceived foul by Denzel Dumfries on Gerard Martin in the build-up to Inter's late equalizer. 'I don't want to say too much about the referee, but every 50-50 call went Inter's way,' Flick said at the press conference. 'I'm disappointed, but not with my team—they gave everything. That's how it goes. We're out, but we'll try again next year to make the fans happy.' Flick added that he'd already spoken to Marciniak but kept his comments private: 'I told him what I think, but I won't say it here.' Barca, who were chasing a treble after winning the Copa del Rey, now shift their focus to LaLiga, where they lead Real Madrid by four points with four games left. They'll host their rivals on Sunday, aiming for a fourth straight win over them this season. Despite the heartbreak, Flick remained proud of his squad. 'We'll learn from this—it's a step forward,' he said. 'The team deserves respect for what they've done. We play to win titles, and we've still got LaLiga to fight for. The players can look in the mirror and be proud. We'll analyze the game and move on.'
Daily Mirror
07-05-2025
- Sport
- Daily Mirror
Barcelona star demands UEFA investigation as finger pointed at referee
Barcelona crashed out of the Champions League against Inter Milan as they missed out on the final following a 4-3 defeat at the San Siro, but midfielder Pedri questioned a number of decisions made by the referee in charge Barcelona midfielder Pedri has called for UEFA to investigate referee Szymon Marciniak following their Champions League semi-final defeat to Inter Milan after claiming a number of decisions went the Italian side's way. Barca were beaten 4-3 after a dramatic tie that saw them claw back Inter's 2-0 lead to go 3-2 up, before the Serie A outfit themselves produced a comeback in extra time that clinched their spot in the final. It was an agonising defeat for Hansi Flick's men, made worse by the fact they were aggrieved over a number of decisions from Marciniak on the night, with Pedri claiming they had also been frustrated with the official in previous games. Pedri insisted Barcelona should have had a penalty for a foul on Lamine Yamal and said Marciniak failed to dismiss Mkhitarayan for a second yellow card - saying UEFA should look into his performance after "every 50/50 went their way". "This isn't the first time this has happened to us with this referee, and I think UEFA should look into it," he said after the game. "There are things that are hard to explain. "There were many situations: every 50/50 went their way, and on the penalty on Lamine, which was later called a foul—he didn't give [Henrikh] Mkhitaryan a yellow card, which would've been his second." His team-mate Eric Garcia was also critical of Marciniak and claimed the team are usually victims of "things beyond our control" when they travel to the San Siro. The defender said: " Football has been cruel to us. I have come to Inter Milan's stadium three times and things always happen that are beyond our control. We all know what happened with this referee when we came here last time. But it's no excuse, they have scored six goals against us." Their manager Flick backed up their claims by admitting the 50/50 decision did go to Inter - but said his team had no choice but to accept their fate, saying he was proud of the players' efforts. The German boss said: "I know that everyone's disappointed now that we're out, but it's because we invested a lot in this match. We came back again (into the game), and I think some decisions, like the 50/50 were always for Inter, but it's like that, we have to accept it. It's football. "I'm proud of my team, we gave everything, and sometimes you fell like it's unfair because some decisions the referee made were not for our side, but it's like that. "We have to accept it, and we'll start again next season. Winning the Champions League is one of our goals, because the fans deserve it. We'll be back next season in the Champions League." While Barcelona might be unhappy about some of the decisions, they might also count themselves lucky that Inigo Martinez wasn't sent off after footage appeared to show him spitting towards Inter's Francesco Acerbi after the home side's second goal. The Spaniard has since insisted he was angry after Acerbi celebrated in his ear but was not aiming for the defender.
Irish Daily Mirror
07-05-2025
- Sport
- Irish Daily Mirror
Barcelona furious over 'unfair' decisions as they take aim at referee
Barcelona pointed the finger at referee Szymon Marciniak for their dramatic Champions League semi-final second leg defeat to Inter Milan. The Catalan giants seemed set for the final after Raphinha's 87th-minute goal put them 3-2 up on the night, but a late surge from Inter turned the tables. Veteran defender Francesco Acerbi found himself in a centre-forward position and managed to convert Denzel Dumfries' cross in the 93rd minute, levelling the scores at 3-3 for the night and 6-6 on aggregate, pushing the match into extra time. Davide Frattesi emerged as the hero of the match, coolly slotting the ball into the bottom corner, while Yann Sommer pulled off some spectacular saves to maintain the lead. The thrilling match was filled with goals and incidents, with Marciniak making some crucial decisions. He awarded Inter a penalty following a foul by Pau Cubarsi on Lautaro Martinez after VAR directed him to the pitchside monitor. Later, he changed a Barca penalty to a free-kick after VAR determined Henrikh Mkhitaryan's foul on Lamine Yamal was outside the box, reports the Mirror. Barca were also upset about Inter's late equaliser, claiming Dumfries had fouled Gerard Martin in the build-up. Manager Hansi Flick and substitute Pau Victor received yellow cards for their protests in a heated atmosphere on the touchline, and experienced Polish official Marciniak faced criticism after the match. Barca midfielder Pedri didn't hold back his frustrations, telling El Partidazo de Cope: "This isn't the first time this has happened to us with this referee, and I think UEFA should look into it. There are things that are hard to explain. "There were many situations. Every 50/50 went their way, and on the penalty on Lamine, which was later called a free-kick, he didn't give Mkhitaryan a yellow card, which would've been his second." Eric Garcia also took aim Marciniak in an interview with Movistar Plus. "Football has been cruel to us," he said. "I have come to Inter Milan's stadium three times and things always happen that are beyond our control. We all know what happened with this referee when we came here last time. But it's no excuse, they have scored six goals against us." Manager Flick joined his players in echoing the sentiment of perceived injustice during the press conference, remarking, "I don't want to talk too much about the referee, but every decision that was 50-50 went (Inter's) way," However, Flick maintained his pride in the squad's efforts, saying, "I am disappointed, but not with my team. They tried everything. It's the way it is. We are out, but next year we will try again to make the fans happy." Flick also expressed his personal dissatisfaction, albeit with restraint: "It makes me sad... My team did an excellent job. I don't like talking about the referee... I've told him what I think, but I'm not going to say it here what I've said." In remarks about their La Liga performance, he said: "Each player, when they get home, can look in the mirror and be proud of themselves. We'll analyse the game calmly and see what we can do." Get the latest sports headlines straight to your inbox by signing up for free email .
